DANNY WILSON paid tribute to a “brilliant” second half performance from Hartlepool as they stormed into round two of the Carling Cup with a 3-0 rout of Scunthorpe.

Pools turned on the style after a fairly even opening period, powering through with goals from Joel Porter, David Foley and James Brown.

Manager Wilson could not be happier after seeing his team thrash another side who have come down from the Championship, following their opening day destruction of Colchester.

“In lots of areas it was an even better display than Saturday,” he said.

“I thought Scunthorpe were very strong in the first half in particular, they were a big threat to us at the back but I thought our lads stood up to them fantastically well.

“It was pretty even going into half-time but I thought that we could take the legs out of their high pressure game by using the ball.

“The lads were brilliant. You don’t want to go overboard about anything at this moment in time but I have to say that was some performance in the second half, it was excellent.”

Pools took a 50th minute lead when Porter headed in debutant Alan Power’s corner, doubled their cushion when Foley fired in Porter’s cut-back from close range and added their third when Brown crashed in his third goal in two games from 20 yards.

“I didn’t think there was any doubt where the ball would end up when he shaped to shoot, because he can do it every day in training,” said Wilson of Brown’s goal.

“He caused them trouble all night and what pleased me with him and Joel was that they didn’t go under despite not getting any chances in the first half against two big, physical centre halves.

“I think that movement and guile won it for us in the end.”

Summer signing Power came in as one of three changes after Pools lost Andy Monkhouse (thigh) and Ritchie Jones (rib) to injury.

And Wilson believes the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international will only get better after shining in his full debut.

Power sent over the corner for Porter’s opener and was accurate with his distribution before being replaced by Willie Boland.

“It was hot in that midfield, for long periods in the first half in particular,” said Wilson. “But thankfully he has come through it and it’s just about him getting used to first-team football.

“It’s very quick and Scunthorpe are an experienced side who have played at a high level.

“It takes a bit of time getting used to the tempo because you don’t get the time to spray the ball around like you do in the reserves.

“It’s about quickness of thought and he will get that the more games he plays. He will get better but he has got lots of things in his locker.

“He has got great delivery of the ball, he can pass it, he is strong and aggressive and he will get a goal.

“He has got two good feet as well, but again we are not pushing him too quickly, we will try and nurture him through.”